After already being named team MVP, Dillon Powers (’13) took home another big award on Monday. The former Irish midfielder was named MLS Rookie of the Year, finishing ahead of teammate Deshorn Brown and becoming the first player in Colorado Rapids history to earn that distinction.

In 29 games, the Plano, Texas native scored five goals and tallied six assists, helping the Rapids secure a Western Conference playoff spot. See below for a video from the MLS, as well as a few congratulatory tweets from former teammates and current Irish student-athletes. To read more, check out the story on MLSSoccer.com.

But that’s not the only reason to be proud of Notre Dame soccer this afternoon…

In other professional news, this year’s MLS Cup will feature a pair of Fighting Irish alums. Matt Besler (’09) and Sporting KC will take on Aaron Maund (’12) and Real Salt Lake on Dec. 7 at 4 pm on ESPN. And last but not least, Notre Dame shut out Wisconsin, 4-0, on Sunday evening at Alumni Stadium to move on to the Round of 16. The Irish will host Wake Forest on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 7 pm.